SIUE - News - TheOArchive - 022900

February 29, 2000

Kimmel Community Award Winners Announced

Several Southwestern Illinois residents will receive Kimmel Community Service Awards at the April 6 Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet, sponsored by SIUE and the Belleville News-Democrat.

The annual award was established to recognize outstanding community members for dedication and contributions to community volunteer service as exemplified by Carol Kimmel, a former member of the SIU Board of Trustees, who continues to give freely of her time and talent to volunteerism.

There are six award categories: education, social service-social welfare, environmental and civic betterment, regional leadership, agency-organizational concerns, and special populations.

Those nominated must have been a resident of Illinois or Missouri for at least two years, and volunteered for at least one agency, organization, or business for at least two or more continuous years. In addition, nominees must have demonstrated a variety of community service contributions for an extended period; demonstrated outstanding voluntary community service, as well as a commitment to the citizens of Illinois or Missouri; and must document leadership roles and responsibilities.

This year's winners are:

Regional Leadership---Carol Ann Bartle, Caseyville

Education---Doris Gvillo, Edwardsville

Environmental-Civic Betterment---Carol Warner, Fairview Heights

Social Service-Social Welfare---LeRoy Stark, Granite City

Special Populations---Millie Belobraydic, Glen Carbon

Agency-Organizational Concerns---Dorothy Duffey, Godfrey

Kimmel Scholarship Winner Announced

Noor Fayyad Ali-Hasan, of Edwardsville and a sophomore studying Computer Management Information Systems, has been named this year's recipient of the Carol Kimmel Scholarship. Ali-Hasan also will be recognized at the April 6 awards banquet.

The scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Belleville News-Democrat. The annual scholarship was established to recognize students for their outstanding leadership and community volunteer service contributions, in addition to academic excellence.

Criteria for winning the scholarship includes maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and demonstrating volunteer contributions within the last two years in leadership, service, and/or citizenship, including leadership in a student organization or at least one elected office; and more than 30 hours of nonpaid service to a community agency or community organization. The scholarship provides one full year of tuition at the SIUE in-state rate.

Tickets for the April 6 banquet, scheduled in Meridian Ballroom of SIUE's University Center, are $25 per person. For more information about tickets or about ordering them, call the SIUE Office of Conferences and Institutes, (618) 650-2660, or, from St. Louis toll-free, (888) 328-5168, Ext. 2660.

Alton Schools Of 1872 Ahead Of Their Time In Race Relations

Before the collective consciousness was aware of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s, before Brown vs. Board of Education brought clear focus to the effort, before screaming headlines about race riots and human rights violations against African-Americans in the United States, there was the Alton School case.

In the ensuing years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, members of Alton's black community were proud of the progress they'd made. There were black entrepreneurs opening shops in Alton and the public schools had been integrated in an 1872 ruling from the state courts.

"At that time it was unusual for a city south of Springfield to have integrated schools," said Shirley Portwood, a professor of Historical Studies who's on sabbatical this year doing research for a book about the black community in Alton at that time. "It was a time when African Americans were insisting on their rights more and more," she said.

Alton Mayor John Brenholdt, a civic leader who was respected by blacks and whites, had helped uphold the 1872 integration ruling. But, by 1897, Brenholdt was out of office. "The mayor of Alton by then was Henry Brueggemann who, along with the city council and the board of education-most of whom were Republicans-made a decision to build segregated schools."

The mention of the Republican Party is significant because it was that political party which blacks perceived as on their side because of President Lincoln's ties to the GOP. "The 1897 decision to segregate the schools racially polarized the city," Portwood said, "and blacks banded together to fight the decision."

The Alton Citizens Committee was organized and employed various means, including boycotts, sit-ins, and litigation. "They challenged separate schools from 1897 to 1908 when the Illinois Supreme Court again called for integration in the Alton schools.

"However, the Alton City Council ignored the law and claimed that they weren't segregating the schools," Portwood said. "Further, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Alton should integrate the schools. In short, they disobeyed both the law and the Supreme Court," Portwood said.

Portwood, who grew up in a small town near Cairo, experienced racial discrimination first hand. She also is author of Tell Us a Story: An African-American Family in the Heartland (SIU Press, 2000). "That was a book about my own and my family's experiences, primarily in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas," she said.

"But, it's been very interesting studying black history from an Alton perspective because generally cities south of Springfield tended to have pro-slavery sentiments.

"Even East St. Louis and Edwardsville had segregation of school children." When asked why Alton officials turned back the clock in 1897 after 25 years of integration, Portwood said they may have been emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of 1896 which set forth the infamous "separate but equal" ruling.

Portwood also discovered evidence of what appears to be an anomaly in the school segregation situation in Alton. "I found there were a few middle class blacks who were in favor of segregation," she said. "Families with teachers felt that it was easier for the teachers to get jobs in all black schools than in the white schools. Also, there was some back room politics going on in which patronage jobs were promised, but that's just an inference on my part, difficult to prove with hard evidence."

Even though there was some dissent within the black community, most African-Americans in Alton pushed for integration. "Brenholdt helped in the cause for integration and was the one who argued the case in the various courts."

Portwood said she's also studying communities north of Alton and into Central Illinois and how segregation affected schools in other regions in the late 1800s. "I still have a lot more to do to finish the book."

Preview

The SIUE Graduate School welcomes undergraduates to attend Graduate School Preview Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, March 6, in Goshen Lounge. Reps from each of SIUE's graduate programs will be on hand to provide information to help in decisions about further education opportunities. Call 650-3010 for more info.

March Madness Takes Over The VC This Week

March Madness has taken over the Vadalabene Center this week and high school basketball fans will enjoy the action as SIUE plays host again to the Illinois High School Association Class AA sectional semifinals today (March 7) and Wednesday. The sectional championship will be played Friday, March 10.

Thousands are expected to come to each of the three games, giving many area residents an opportunity to see SIUE for the first time. East St. Louis and Collinsville meet today and Edwardsville faces Alton on Wednesday. These schools are expected to bring a record amount of fans. Three sellouts in the 4,100 seat arena are expected.

"East St. Louis's Darius Miles is the premier High School athlete in the area," says Associate Athletic Director Nick Adams. "This is his second appearance at the VC this year. When he came to the Full court Classic at the beginning of the season, we sold out. There will be people here that come just to see him play.

"Edwardsville and Alton are both very good teams that always draw well," Adams added. "A few years ago on this campus they played what might be the best basketball game ever." The game went into six overtimes before Alton came out on top.

This is the sixth year that SIUE has hosted the sectional finals. Most people involved with the school see it as a great event. "It has a good effect on the university," Adams said. "Anytime we can bring that many people to see the facilities and the campus it is a good opportunity."

Head Men's Basketball Coach Jack Margenthaler also sees the tournament as a great opportunity for the school and for his team. "We haven't even begun to see all the benefits and the good things that can come from this," Margenthaler said. "For three days we have over 4,000 people packed into the gym and see the facilities and the campus."

The exposure for the campus goes well beyond the Intercollegiate Athletics program at SIUE. The Office of Academic Marketing Services will set up a booth in the Vadalabene Center lobby to hand out brochures to the hundreds of high school students that will be in attendance.

"Its been a phenomenal event for both SIUE and the athletic department," Margenthaler said.

Symposium

Graduate students are invited to submit papers, posters, exhibits,or performances for the Graduate Student Research Symposium, part of the Graduate School's Spring Conference held in conjunction with the Senate's Faculty Roles and Responsibilities Committee. Graduate student presentations are scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, March 28. A 250- word abstract is due no later than March 20. Contact Linda Skelton, lskelto@siue.edu, for additional information.

Ryan Announces Grant For ESL "One-Stop" Center

Illinois Gov. George Ryan visited East St. Louis recently and, along with SIUE officials, announced a $25.4 million grant to open a "one-stop" service center at the site of the former Metropolitan Community College, now known as the East St. Louis Community College Center.

Ryan said the grant will pay for extensive renovations of an existing 129,000 square foot space and construct a new 51,000 square foot building. The CDB is managing the construction and the facility will be shared by SIUE, the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM), and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Through the Illinois Capital Development Board, Ryan said, the FY00 grant is earmarked for construction and renovation at the center. According to the governor, full-service, one-stop centers, such as the East St. Louis facility, provide:

• Job development and placement

• Job search skills workshops

• Testing and career counseling

• On-going case management

• Supportive services

• On-site recruitment of prospective employees

Currently in the design phase, Ryan said the work will be bid early summer of 2001 and is scheduled for completion in fall 2003.

Marionettes Coming To SIUE March 9; Strings Attached

The Salzburg Marionettes, known worldwide for creating remarkably lifelike productions of classic operas, will present Mozart's The Magic Flute on campus Thursday, March 9, as part of the Arts & Issues series.

But, there are some strings attached. Actually, the 18-inch performers all have strings attached. The 87-year-old marionette troupe's production at 7:30 p.m. in Meridian Ballroom.

Arts & Issues Coordinator Richard Walker points out that the Salzburg company offer a delightful alternative to the usual night at the opera. "This is an historic marionette troupe that has been presenting the classics since 1913," Walker said. "We are honored to have them here for the Arts & Issues program. To see these marionettes performing a classic art form in the original language is quite a treat."

The marionettes will perform Mozart's classic opera in German, accompanied by music, sets, and lighting. The troupe features intricately-carved wooden marionettes clothed in elaborate costumes and manipulated from above by strings held by skilled puppeteers. The stage is a replica of a classic opera house stage.

Tickets for the March 9 event are $16; students, $8. Admission includes free parking in the lots behind the Morris University Center or Dunham Hall. For ticket information, call (618) 650-2626, or, write: Arts & Issues, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1083; or by e-mail, rwalker@siue.edu. For more information about the 1999-2000 season, view the website: http://www.siue.edu/ARTS_ISSUES.

New Student Support Group Under Way This Semester

New students arrive on a strange campus and immediately the stress begins. They can become overwhelmed by the surroundings and course load, not to mention the need to "fit in" socially.

Students now have another avenue to help deal with these kinds of stress-inducing factors: The Student Life Support Group. What makes this counseling program different is that it uses verbal and nonverbal "expressive approaches" to supportive therapy. Sharyl Parashak, a lecturer in the Department of Art and Design and a registered art therapist, conceived the support program.

The 12 weeks of group sessions are led by Lisa Kay, a registered art therapist, and Marvin Peterson, director of Counseling Services. The group is meeting in Woodland Hall and there is no charge for students to take advantage of the program.

Says Parashak: "There are no services like this on campus in the way of a support group for normal adjustment difficulties. With the addition of the residence halls, we now have more students living on campus and they bring these normal anxieties that have been with traditional college students from day one.

"These are problems such as an overwhelming sense of too much to do, roommate problems, or a need for better organizational skills," she said. The program is underwritten by an SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education grant.

Parashak explained the definition of "expressive approaches" used in the group program: "These approaches rely on more than verbalization. For example, we may use the visual arts as an approach in the sessions, but there are others, such as music and dance.

"We try to tap into another aspect of communication, to tap into emotion," she explained.

According to Parashak, goals established for the group include:

• Develop greater independent living and social skills;

• Participate in group interaction to enhance social skills;

• Reduce student isolation; and

• Reduce overall stress levels.

"This group may be beneficial for those looking for a supportive atmosphere to explore personal issues through creativity, while meeting other students," Parashak said.

If students are interested in joining the group, contact Peterson, 650-2197. Parashak also pointed out that the program also will be available during Fall Semester for another 12 weeks.

Seniors Fair

The Gerontology Program presents the 30th Annual Senior Citizens Fair on Monday, March 13, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Morris Center. Activities begin with a coffee and tea reception sponsored by the Chancellor's Office and Southwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, and hosted by the university's civil service secretaries. Chancellor Werner will welcome guests. The Senior Fair provides an educational and recreational event for older adults and their families, including variety acts, trios, choral groups, dance troupes, ballroom and line dancing, campus tours, exhibits and displays. The Fair will also feature social service and health information tables, craft tables, and preventive health screenings. For more information, call the Gerontology Program at 650-3454.

Dress For Success Kicks Off Spring/Summer Suit Drive

East St. Louis Center, SIUE, and Dress for Success of Southern Illinois will conduct a spring/summer suit drive from March 20 - 31. Donations of new or "gently worn" women's suits, dresses, pant suits, accessories, bags, shoes, and new and packaged hosiery are being sought.

Individuals who wish to make a cash donation may make checks payable to: Dress for Success, Southern Illinois and mail the donation to 2221 Greenfield Drive, Belleville, IL 62221.

Drop offs may be made at these locations between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• East St. Louis Center, Room 2071, 411 East Broadway, East St. Louis, (618) 482-6948;

• St. Joseph's Head Start, 1501 Martin Luther King Drive, East St. Louis, (618) 875-9812;

Individuals who would like to become involved with the Dress for Success program also may help organize a clothing drive in their offices, volunteer a few hours each month to help clients make their wardrobe selection, mentor one of the Dress for Success clients, design fund-raising campaigns and special events, help at special events, serve on a committee, help receive, sort and organize donated clothing, provide free or low-cost dry cleaning service, or help with alterations and minor repairs to clothing.

Last fall, the ESLC and Dress for Success formed a partnership to aid women who are living in poverty but who have a job interview. Such women are usually unsure of themselves, have little or no self-confidence, and own no appropriate business attire. Through Dress for Success these women can receive a complete business outfit-suits, shoes, handbag, accessories, and hosiery-for job interviews.

In addition clients are coached for an interview, given hair and make-up assistance, and provided a mentor. If the interview is a success, a woman may return for another complete outfit. One measure of the program's effectiveness is that 70 percent of clients come back for that second suit. The ESLC and Dress for Success have suited 130 women.

Dress for Success also continues to help after the hire. Once a month, women from professional ranks volunteer to speak to participants on subjects such as time management, budgeting, and coping with work stress. The mentoring also continues and may be expanded to involve the entire family.

Dress for Success is more than just "come in and look pretty." The program helps women set long-term professional and personal goals.

Faculty Institute

This summer, SIUE will send six faculty members to attend the annual Faculty Summer Institute on Learning Technologies (FSI) at the University of Illinois. The purpose of this institute is to aid faculty in developing skills related to web-based technologies in the classroom. The FSI will be conducted May 15 - 19. SIUE will provide lodging, meals, and transportation. Faculty members interested in applying should contact Mary Marchal, mmarcha@siue.edu, by March 13.

Nile Cruise Included In CCM-Sponsored Trip To Egypt

Egypt is a popular destination, it seems, for those connected to SIUE. In addition to the trip to Egypt in May sponsored by SIU Carbondale and SIUE, the SIUE Catholic Campus Ministry also is sponsoring a June trip to Egypt, including a cruise on the River Nile as well as visits to the Red Sea and St. Catherine Monastery.

In addition to other sightseeing, the trip also includes a stop at Mt. Sinai. The trip, "Egypt: Land of Wonder and Intrigue," is scheduled for June 3-16 at a cost of $2,655 per person, which includes:

• Round trip airfare from St. Louis

• First class hotel accommodation in Cairo, Sharm el- Sheikh, and at St. Catherine's

• Five-star cruise from Aswan to Luxor

• All domestic flights

• All land transportation with A/C motor coach

• All admission fees

• Guided sightseeing by professional English-speaking guide.

• Most meals

Informational sessions about the trip are set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, at the Religious Center, and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Edwardsville. For more information, call Nassef I. Girgis, director of the Catholic Campus Ministry, (618) 650-3205, or, by e-mail: catholic@siue.edu.

Training

Opportunities for training in March are open to all staff and faculty from Human Resources. Advanced Supervisory Skills Training Program-presented by HR's Bill Misiak, 1-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2; Preventing Workplace Violence (Employee Session)-9 a.m.- Noon (a separate session for supervisors will be offered May 11); Campus Crime-presented by University Police Capt. Regina Hays, 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8; Performance Appraisal Process Review-presented by Bill Misiak, 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14; Personal Safety-presented by Capt. Hays, 10 a.m.-Noon Wednesday, March 15; Grammar Review-presented by LaDonna Holshouser, Instructional Services, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22. See the Training Times Newsletter for additional information. To register for any of these sessions by e-mail: wmisiak@siue.edu. Please include your full name, department, campus box, and telephone extension.

School Of Nursing Builds Lab, Hires New "Teacher"

Providing School of Nursing students with the most technologically advanced training tools available and in a realistic medical setting, the School has completed construction of a new psychomotor skills lab. And, there's a new "teacher" in the lab.

It's a computerized patient simulator capable of replicating a variety of physical symptoms and the capacity to respond to treatments. And, please resist the temptation to call it a "dummy." The human patient simulator is a fascinating computerized, life-like human figure that can either be male or female and is programmed to respond to "treatment" in an emergency room setting. There's also a smaller "juvenile" model for pediatric sessions.

The computer driven, life-sized mannequins breathe, emit a pulse (in all the correct places), and is programmed with sophisticated patient profiles, allowing it to accurately mirror human responses. Utilizing the simulator, instructors may choose from 70 different medical scenarios allowing students to practice a wide range of nursing and medical procedures and techniques-everything from the administration of intravenous "drugs" to defibrillation.

SIUE is the first and only four-year nursing education program in the Midwest equipped with the human patient simulator. At a cost of $500,000, the School of Nursing's psychomotor skills lab offers nursing students an unparalleled degree of training through this practical, hands-on experience.

Selection

Jacky Yukchow So, professor of Finance and chair of that department, has been selected by the Academy of Entrepreneurial Finance (AEF) to serve as executive director and of its publication, The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, for the next five years. Currently, AEF has several hundred members from universities, government agencies, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA), and companies in varied industries: financial service, venture capital, computer, telecommunication, manufacturing, retailing, and agriculture. The AEF will hold its next annual conference in New York in August 2000. If you are interested in attending the conference, please contact So at 618-650-2980, fax: 618-650-3979, or email: jso@siue.edu.